Even in 2017, there is still skepticism of female songwriters. Charli XCX image by James Dillon Halsey image by Justin Higuchi

In a joint interview, the two songwriters explain the music industry is still skeptical of the ability of female songwriters

This June the American songwriter Halsey released her second album, Hopeless Fountain Kingdom. The record charted at No 1 in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand and Sweden. Charli XCX, released her most recent album, Sucker, in 2014, with the record making it to No 15 in the UK.

However, despite this success, and that of songwriters such as Taylor Swift, Katy Perry and Lady Gaga, the two artists have explained that the music industry is still skeptical of the ability of female songwriters.

Speaking to Billboard in a joint interview with Charli XCX, Halsey said: “There’s a skepticism behind female artists in general. From when I first started, I wrote [my music].”

Charli XCX added: “And people were like, ‘Oh, who wrote your songs?’ There’s so much doubt, especially with being a pop star and being a female. Taylor Swift, amazing songwriter. Katy Perry, amazing songwriter. Lady Gaga, amazing songwriter.”

Halsey continued: “People want to discount them.”

Charli XCX went on to explain how supportive female artists are of each other, saying that there is a “generally unspoken consensus” between them and that it wasn’t considered “cool to be competitive or fighting.”